Performance of Solar Hybrid Cooling Operated by Solar Compound Parabolic Collectors under Weather Conditions in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The scientific aim of this work is to encourage energy conservation. This article offers a fresh perspective on renewable energy in the air conditioning sector, the country’s economic growth, and environment-friendly techniques to overcome global warming challenges. In this research, a solar vapor absorption refrigeration (SVAR) system was combined with a conventional vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) system to analyze their combined performance, employing a compound parabolic collector (CPC). The goal was to assess the performance of a solar hybrid cooling system using this non-tracking solar collector. CPC was validated for heat output with 2.9% uncertainty by utilizing an engineering equation solver (EES). Other system components were also validated with EES and then extended to a larger-capacity solar hybrid cooling system. The results of this research indicate that CPC is effective in providing the required heat to SVAR throughout the year without any tracking, and the integration of SVAR in series with the VCR condenser produces 83% higher COP than the system that integrates VCR with the condenser of the SVAR system for Riyadh. The configuration results in high values of exergy COP and an efficiency of 88% and 84%, respectively, increases the cooling capacity of the VCR by 68%, and decreases the carbon emission by 166.4%.

Enhancement of Condenser Performance in Vapor Absorption Refrigeration Systems Operating in Arid Climatic Zones—Selection of Best Option

“…The solar collector considered in this study is the compound parabolic collector (CPC) with air as the working fluid. Experimental studies on the CPC for climatic conditions of Riyadh were conducted and the heat-removal factor and overall loss coefficient were determined [16]. This study applies a low-capacity 3 TR, single-stage LiBr/water VAR system that is appropriate for cooling small residential buildings.…”

“…The solar collector considered in this study is the compound parabolic collector (CPC) with air as the working fluid. Experimental studies on the CPC for climatic conditions of Riyadh were conducted and the heat-removal factor and overall loss coefficient were determined [16].…”

“…The multiple-effect absorption system requires a high temperature of around 180-210 • C as compared to the singleeffect one, which can perform at 80 • C [15]. Solar air cooling and heating cost 60-120% higher than conventional systems but it reduces fossil-fuel-based energy consumption by 45-75% and carbon dioxide emission by 40-70% [16]. The number of solar cooling plants is increasing every year; on top of the 1200 presently in operation, 1200 more are ready to be built all over the world [17].…”

“…Solar energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels using passive cooling enhances the power output from the PV system [19]. Compound parabolic collectors (CPCs) are capable of delivering all the solar radiations falling within their aperture and they limit the requirements for moving the collector to capture the solar radiations [16]. Hence, they are a good alternative to parabolic dish or evacuated tube collectors which incur higher cost.…”